F1 World Champion Comebacks

How well have World Champion comebacks gone over the years?

Michael Schumacher's comeback may be the biggest in Formula One history, but he isn't the only former World Champion to be lured out of retirement. Six others have had a second attempt at F1 glory (or even a third) so Schumacher might have something to learn from their previous efforts.

Mario Andretti

Although it can't be considered a 'comeback' Mario Andretti did compete in three Formula One races after turning his back on the sport at the end of 1981. Andretti retired from F1 because he did not enjoy the ground effect cars being used at the time and wanted to focus on Indy racing in the USA. However, just three races into the 1982 season Carlos Reutemann announced his sudden retirement and Williams needed a replacement driver at short notice. Andretti filled the void at the United States West Grand Prix at Long Beach because it did not clash with his existing schedule. During the race he was lapping quicker than the team's regular driver, Keke Rosberg, until he lost control of the car and slid into a wall.

Andretti had one more crack at Formula One at the very end of 1982 when he substituted for the injured Didier Pironi at Ferrari. Andretti thrilled the Tifosi by planting his Ferrari on pole position at Monza and finished third in the race. Mario's second and final appearance for the Scuderia ended with a suspension failure.

Alan Jones

Like many drivers, Alan Jones missed the thrill of Grand Prix racing when he retired from Formula One in 1981. The first World Champion for Williams returned home to Australia where he successfully competed in the local GT sedan series. However, it was no substitute for the adrenaline rush of F1 and Jones returned in 1983 with a one off appearance for Arrows. He made a more serious return two years later with the promising Beatrice Lola team run by US motorsport legend Carl Hass. The team boasted a group of talented engineers, including Neil Oatley and Ross Brawn, and the huge financial backing of the Beatrice food company. Sadly, despite having all the right ingredients, the team failed to deliver. In 19 races Alan Jones managed just five finishes, and only two of them were in the points. The Beatrice company changed management in 1986 and the new owners felt the F1 project was a waste of money and promptly closed it down. Alan Jones went into retirement once again but this time he stayed in Australia, albeit disappointed that Hass Lola didn't get more time to develop into a competitive Grand Prix outfit.

Niki Lauda

After winning two World Championships with Ferrari, Niki Lauda retired from Grand Prix racing and started his own airline business. However, two years down the track with plenty of desire for competition, and his airline in need of some extra funding, Lauda made a sensational F1 return. His comeback was no short cameo appearance and the Austrian spent four years with McLaren during which time he claimed his third World Championship. Lauda scored two victories during his first year back in 1982 but had to wait until 1984 to be in championship contention. In that season's final race he had to finish in second place to snatch the title away from Alain Prost and he just scraped through when Nigel Mansell spun off with 18 laps to go. Prost got his revenge in 1985 when he joined McLaren as Lauda's teammate. The Frenchman took control of the team and won his first title whilst Lauda's car finished just three races. Niki returned to his flourishing airline at the end of the year.

Alain Prost

Ferrari sacked Alain Prost at the end of 1991 and left the Frenchman without a competitive drive for the following season. Alain spent 1992 on the sidelines but was back in a cockpit twelve months later when he made his F1 return with Williams. The FW15C was the most technologically laden car of all time with traction control, anti-lock braking, and active suspension, and utterly dominated the 1993 World Championship. Despite a shaky start to the season Prost won the title with two races to spare. Having proved his point, Alain retired for good and left the sport on a high note.

Nigel Mansell

Nigel Mansell has had more F1 comebacks than most. The Brit originally retired from the sport at the end of 1990 but reversed his decision and returned the following year with Williams. After going on to claim the 1992 championship Mansell retired once again, although this time his decision was influenced by Williams' push to hire Alain Prost for 1993. Mansell raced successfully in the US Indycar series but returned to Williams in 1994 where he briefly took the seat made vacant by Ayrton Senna's death. Mansell competed in three races and won the last of them in Adelaide when Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher crashed out of the lead. Nigel retired from the sport once again but made a final disastrous comeback with McLaren in 1995. Amusingly, he was too big to fit inside the car. He missed the first few races of the season whilst McLaren hurriedly altered the chassis for his larger frame, but it was to no avail. Mansell drove in just two races for McLaren before calling it quits again. He finished one of those races in tenth and retired himself from the other. Nigel tested a Jordan at the start of 1997 and there were rumours that he would race with the Irish team, but ultimately he was not lured out of retirement for one last hurrah.

Jacques Villeneuve

Villeneuve's retirement from F1 at the end of 2003 was enforced as he was pushed aside at BAR In favour of Takuma Sato. He returned in late 2004 to contest the final three rounds of the season with Renault, but Villeneuve's performances were well below Fernando Alonso's, and also those of Jarno Trulli who he replaced. Jacques moved to Sauber in 2005 and performed strongly against Felipe Massa, but when BMW bought the team they soon replaced him with Robert Kubica. Villeneuve is trying to make another comeback in 2010 with one of the new teams but is running out of chances to find a vacant seat.

Will Michael Schumacher emulate Lauda and Prost, or Jones and Mansell?

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Last Comment Posted »

• I laugh when I think about Nigel Mansell and McLaren in 1995 - seemed so unorganised and a bodge job!!!
  by Jimmy
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